Photo by Spicy-Meatball Photography
Keith Warner Standard of
Excellence Award
Named in honor of a former director
of the VHEDC, the Keith Warner
Standard of Excellence Award is given
to a business that has shown a singular
degree of excellence in the areas of
business success, philanthropy, and
community service. The 2019 winner
was Peoples Bank Midwest.
During his acceptance speech, Bank
President Kevin Whelan said, “I want to
thank the corporation for this award. It’s
very humbling and heartfelt. We’re very
honored to be this year’s recipient.”
Founded in 1925 and headquartered
in Hayward, WI, Peoples Bank Midwest
opened in the Twin Cities in 2006. Both
the bank’s present and past owners are
strong supporters of philanthropy. The
bank was sold to Frandsen Financial
Corporation (FFC) in October of 2019.
Prior to being sold to Frandsen, the
bank was owned by the Michael J.
O’Meara family. “Mike was very active
in the bank and required all bank
employees to become involved in the
communities that we serve. In addition
to donating money to area nonprofits,
Mike encouraged bank staff to donate
human capital,” said bank President
Kevin Whelan.
The new owner of the bank, Dennis
Frandsen, is also very philanthropic.
His Frandsen Family Foundation makes
available scholarship grants to technical
colleges for every high school graduate
in his hometown of Luck, WI, as well as
the high school graduates of Rush City
and Braham, MN, and Frederic, WI.
Bank staff volunteers for two area
Rotary groups, the White Bear Rotary
Club and the Roseville Rotary Club.
Vice President Richard McNamara has
volunteered for Habitat for Humanity;
and Executive Vice President Kevin Kelly
has co-chaired the Roseville Rotary’s
Taste of Rosefest for several years.
In addition, the bank has also been
involved in the White Bear Lake Relay
for Life event, serving as the top fund-
raising team for several years in a row.
Keith Warner and his wife Patty founded
the White Bear Relay for Life event,
which is one of the top fund-raising
Relays in the state.
The bank has been a longtime
supporter of many local nonprofits
including Northeast Youth & Family
Services (NYFS) and Merrick Inc. Vice
President Megan Willcoxen serves on
the Board of Directors for NYFS and
President Kevin Whelan is a Finance
Committee Member for Merrick, Inc.
Peoples Bank Midwest is also very
Kevin Whelan, President - Peoples Bank Midwest
vhedc.com
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